1967 Boatel Ski-Bird 15

The Boatel Company of Mora, MN bought out the Abe Matthews Manufacturing Companys snowmobile line in 1965 to add another manufacturing activity to their successful boat manufacturing activities. They manufactured the Trailmaker, Ski-Bird, and later the Grand-Prix models from 1965 through 1972.
The Boatel Ski-Bird was advertised as When the flag goes downBoatel Ski-Bird will be there at the finish. Boatel was proud of its performance in stock racing.
Performances during the 1965-66 racing season:
Eagle River Intl Snowmobile Marathon 1st in the cross country
1st in the economy run
Antigo Intl Snowmobile Meet 1st, 2nd, 3rd cross country
Brainerd Snowmobile Rally 1st 4th in the lap races
Winnipeg to St. Paul Winter Carnival All entered Boatels finished

On Sept 20, 2019, The Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum was awarded a grant of $12,500 for Operational Support from the State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA – ART WORKS). The grant was awarded through the MCACA peer review process and was one of 561 applications to compete for MCACA fiscal year 2019 funding. The grant requires a 1:1 match and helped the museum leverage the $12,500 of support from its annual income and the many donations from supporters. In particular the museum has received grants from the Graymont Community Economic Development Fund and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. It has also received significant donations from the Antique Snowmobile Club of America, The Midwest Vintage Snowmobile Shows, Inc., many snowmobile clubs, several recreational and snowmobile shows, the museum’s internal $1,000.00 Challenge, and many museum members. The grant funds will be applied to museum operating costs. Applicable costs include internal operations, marketing, travel to shows within the State of Michigan and cost of employees. The MCACA peer review process allows for each grant applicant to be competitively considered by a panel of in-state and out-of-state arts and culture professionals. This ensures the taxpayers, who support this project through legislative appropriations, and all other visitors or residents in Michigan will have access to the highest quality arts and cultural experiences. A complete list of grant awards around the state is available by contacting MCACA at (517) 241-4011, or by visiting the MCACA website at www.michigan.gov/arts

Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum
P.O. Box 2
W11660 US-2
Naubinway, MI 49762
Hours: 906 477-6298
Appointment: 906 477 6192

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